Brits Get Police Tech Funding and a Pre-Holiday Warning – Identity News Digest

Welcome to FindBiometrics’ digest of identity industry news. Here’s what you need to know about the world of digital identity and biometrics today:

UK Home Office Announces Funding Package for Police Tech

The UK Home Office has announced a £55.5 million funding initiative over four years to enhance police capabilities through facial recognition technology, specifically targeting shoplifting and related crimes. The package includes £4 million allocated for mobile units capable of live crowd surveillance to identify individuals wanted by the police, such as habitual shoplifters. The Home Office is also introducing stricter measures for repeat offenders, including mandatory GPS tagging for those convicted of multiple shoplifting offenses or for assaulting retail workers, to enhance monitoring and enforce compliance with community orders.

British Travelers Given ESS Warning from Spain

British travelers planning holidays to Spain from May onwards have been alerted to significant changes at Murcia Airport due to the introduction of the European Union’s impending Entry/Exit System (EES), which will replace manual passport checks with self-service kiosks and e-gates that utilize biometric data like fingerprints and facial images. This is part of a larger EU initiative to bolster border security, with the EES set to record detailed information on travelers entering and exiting the Schengen area, aiming to monitor stay durations and identify overstays or entry refusals. The system is currently anticipated to be fully operational across various European airports by October 6. Moreover, the impending European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected in 2025, will require British tourists to secure a travel permit before visiting most European countries, further modifying travel protocols.

IQE Sales Rise Amid AI Boom

IQE, a prominent British manufacturer of chip components, has announced a substantial increase in its order book, attributed to heightened demand for its epi-wafers amid a booming AI sector. The company is known for its products used in diverse applications from laser hair removal devices to facial recognition sensors in Apple’s iPhones, and is capitalizing on the growing need for efficient data transfer in AI-driven data centers. IQE’s strategic expansion in the Chinese market has also contributed to its positive outlook, with expectations for continued growth throughout 2024. The company reported an adjusted core profit of £4.3 million for the last year, surpassing analysts’ expectations and reflecting a recovery as supply issues ease and customer demand strengthens.

NZ Privacy Commissioner Asks for Public Comment on Draft Rules

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner in New Zealand has introduced draft rules addressing the use of biometric technologies, recognizing the need for stricter regulations beyond the current Privacy Act 2020. The draft seeks public feedback on issues such as the proportionality of biometric use, transparency requirements, and the establishment of clear boundaries for acceptable applications of the technology. New Zealanders and interested parties are encouraged to contribute their views on the proposed biometric code until May 8, 2024, via the designated email, contributing to a more comprehensive and protective regulatory framework. The request for comment arrives as the Privacy Commissioner investigates the grocery chain Foodstuffs over its use of facial recognition technology.

Philippines Prepares for Online Voting

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines is gearing up to introduce online voting for overseas Filipinos in the 2025 midterm elections, aiming to boost voter turnout. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia emphasized the commission’s commitment to security, stating that biometric verification, including facial recognition, iris, and fingerprint scans, will be required for voters before they can cast their ballots online. By allowing votes via smartphones, iPads, and laptops, Comelec hopes to make voting more accessible and convenient for the 1.697 million registered Filipino voters abroad. The registration for the 2025 midterm elections is open until September 30, 2024.

Entrust Completes Acquisition of Onfido

Entrust has completed its acquisition of Onfido, known for its identity verification solutions. With this acquisition, Entrust aims to fortify cybersecurity frameworks, particularly for Zero Trust architectures, by integrating Onfido’s technologies across its range of services. This includes biometric authentication, AI and machine learning, and no-code orchestration capabilities, aimed at securing digital transactions and complying with global regulations. Entrust’s enhanced offerings are expected to benefit various sectors, especially financial services and identity access management. Prior to the acquisition, Onfido had more than $140 million in annual revenues and a staff of more than 500 employees.

BioCatch Report Charts Identity Fraud in Germany

Behavioral biometrics specialist BioCatch has published a report indicating that Germany is less affected by purchase scams common in Europe but more affected by impersonation and investment scams, often perpetrated by native German speakers from Eastern Europe. This localization makes the scams seem more credible to German victims. The report also highlights that fraud victims in Germany are less likely to receive refunds compared to other European countries, due to stringent legislation requiring proof of non-negligence by the victim. The report also finds 44 percent annual growth in mobile payment adoption, introducing new risks of fraud. BioCatch also notes the potential future threats posed by generative AI, which could enable more sophisticated scams.

HID, Partners Bring Mobile Credentials to Google Wallet

HID, in collaboration with Smart Spaces and Cohesion, has announced the integration of mobile credentials into Google Wallet. The innovation allows employees, tenants, and guests to use their Android phones as digital keys for various access points like doors, elevators, and even printers. Leveraging the security features of Android phones and compatibility with Signo and iCLASS SE readers, the solution is designed to offer a seamless and secure user experience. The service, which streamlines badge distribution and management through features like remote enrollment and credential removal, will initially be available in several countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several European nations.

Worldcoin Upgrades Platform, Sees Strong Demand in Argentina

Worldcoin has updated its World ID digital identity platform, giving users the option to un-verify their World ID by permanently deleting their iris biometrics code—an effort to give them greater control over their data. Additionally, in-person age verification checks will be implemented to restrict Worldcoin access to individuals aged 18 and over. Worldcoin says these measures were developed in collaboration with privacy and security experts in alignment with preliminary assessments from data protection authorities like the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (BayLDA), and that their aim is to build trust and transparency within the Worldcoin community.

Amid soaring inflation and economic instability, half a million Argentinians have opted to have their irises scanned in exchange for Worldcoin cryptocurrency. Despite the appeal of financial relief through cryptocurrency, the project has raised significant privacy concerns internationally, with countries like Kenya, Spain, and Portugal halting its biometric data collection for investigation. Argentina, currently grappling with an inflation rate exceeding 250 percent and strict austerity measures, has not yet ceased the collection, as its Agency for Access to Public Information evaluates Worldcoin’s privacy safeguards.

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April 10, 2024 – by Alex Perala and the FindBiometrics Editorial Team